An active sitting chair can increase energy expenditure while performing standardized data entry work

Abstract

Background

Active sitting chairs have been proposed as an effective approach for reducing sedentary behaviour in the workplace.

Objective

This cross-sectional study evaluated how an active sitting chair altered energy expenditure compared to a traditional office chair during seated computer work.

Methods

Sixteen participants (8M/8F) completed two 20-min sessions of seated standardized computer work in an active sitting chair, with a multiaxial rotating seat pan, and traditional office chair. Metabolic and ventilatory variables were collected with a customized metabolic cart and cardiac variables were collected by a Hexoskin^© shirt. Average ventilatory, metabolic, and cardiac variables from the last 15-min of each block were compared between chairs and sexes.

Results

Statistically significant increases in oxygen uptake (V˙O₂) emerged in active sitting (0.02 L/min; 7.6%), and ultimately led to a 1.5 kcal increase in energy expenditure compared to traditional sitting. Proportional and significant changes in minute ventilation (V˙_E; + 0.9 L/min), heart rate (HR; + 5.8 bpm), and heart rate variability (HRV; −0.05 s) occurred, which further support the greater metabolic demand in active sitting.

Conclusions

A 1.5 kcal per 15-min increase in energy expenditure translates to 6 kcal/hour and 48 kcal/day. Compared to other literature, this change is similar to caloric expenditure when climbing three to six flights of stairs and when using alternative workstation designs (e.g., standing or sitting on a stability ball). An active sitting chair with a multiaxial rotating seat pan and no back support, appears to be a good alternative for increasing energy expenditure at a workstation.